TERRAIN

State-of the-art on terrain functions

The state-of-the-art on terrain function are TAWS products following the TSO-C151b. They provide terrain detection and vertical manoeuvre avoidance thanks to the use of a terrain database. The typical terrain presentation on-board aircraft is displayed on the figure below.

TAWS display
This figure is to be compared to future NG ISS Terrain displays

The presentation of terrain and its interpretation by the crew is today limited by current aircraft display and databus design. Future evolution will require new technology to enhance the terrain situational awareness provided to the crew during all phases of flight.
Obstacle function is available in some TAWS products with limits in terms of coverage and quality (e.g. the linear and volumic obstacle are not taken into account in the algorithms). No specific representations of obstacles are available today in the TAWS displays